Enjoy the Summer Safely

Fun in the sun – Practicing SunSense

No one wants to be inside when the sun is shining, but no one is completely safe from the sun. The risk of skin cancer today is much greater than what it was 20 years ago. Spending time in the sun’s rays unprotected can cause wrinkles and aging.  Using a little SunSense can help to protect you.

• UV rays can penetrate through clouds, fog, and haze.
• Water, sand, concrete, and snow can reflect and increase the sun’s burning rays.
•  Plan outdoor activities before 11:00 a.m. or after 4:00 p.m. when the sun is not at its strongest.
• If your shadow is shorter than you, it’s time to find shade or go inside. 
• Babies need extra protection as their skin is very sensitive. Use clothing that covers their arms and legs, make them wear a hat, and remember to use sunscreen on them.
• The best way to ensure that you won’t burn is to cover up. Wear clothing that is:  loose fitting (like a t-shirt), tightly woven, and lightweight.
• Don’t forget to take a hat with you!  Most skin cancers happen to the face and neck.
• Remember to apply sunscreen to your ears, chin, and neck.
• Sunglasses can help to prevent damage to you and your children’s eyes by blocking UV rays.  Choose sunglasses with even shading, medium to dark lenses, and UVA/UVB protection.
• Always use a generous amount of sunscreen! Skin may still tan when wearing sunscreen.
• It’s recommended that sunscreen have an SPF rating of 15 or greater.  If you’re spending most of the day outside use SPF 30. 
• Apply sunscreen at least 20 minutes before exposure.
• Don’t forget about your lips!  Use lip balm with at least SPF 15, and reapply when needed.

For more information:

• Health Promotion and Protection: Summer Safety – How to Beat the Heat
  
• SunSense: Preventing Skin Cancer
• Canadian Cancer Society

When it’s hot, hot, hot!

Heat-related illness is easily preventable, but it can be a major concern in the summer.  Elevated air temperature and high humidity make it more difficult to cool off and to maintain a regular body temperature.

• Being properly hydrated is the first step to prevent heat-related illness.  Children should drink double the recommended amount of water 2-3 hours before physical activity, and then drink the recommended amount again 20 to 30 minutes before the activity.
• Thirst, fatigue, dizziness, loss of energy, and irritability are all symptoms of dehydration.  If you notice any of these signs, find a cool shady area and drink cold liquids.
• It’s important that sport and recreation organizations, coaches, and parents know how to recognize heat-related illness and how to treat it.
• It takes 10-14 days for the body to adjust and respond properly to higher temperatures. 
• Thirst, fatigue, dizziness, loss of energy, and irritability are all symptoms of dehydration.  If you notice any of these signs, find a cool shady area and drink cold liquids.
• Lightweight, light-coloured, loose-fitting clothing has the ability to draw sweat away from the body.
• The hottest part of the day is typically between 10 am and 6 pm – try to plan rigorous activity around these times. 
• Remember not to share water bottles as this spreads communicable diseases.

More Resources...

• Information on heat-related illness can be found in Too Hot: heat-related illness brochure.
• Health and Wellnes: Summer Safety – How to Beat the Heat
  La sécurité en été : Protégez-vous contre la chaleur
• For further information and brochures, please visit the Health Canada website

AQHI – Air Quality Health Index

The Air Quality Health Index or "AQHI" is accessible to all Nova Scotia citizens. The AQHI is a health promotion tool that is designed to help Nova Scotians make informed decisions regarding short-term exposure and activity levels during increased levels of air pollution and smog.

• The AQHI is especially helpful to seniors, children, those with heart and lung disease, and people who are physically active outdoors.
• The system will provide valuable information about air quality in our communities. 
• Nova Scotia is currently offering an AQHI public advisory system which has two areas of specification:
  • A Special Air Quality Statement that is triggered when the AQHI reaches a moderate health risk level of (4 to 6);
  • An AQHI Advisory statement that is triggered when the AQHI reaches the high (7 to 10), or very high (10+) health risk level. Only under extreme conditions would it be expected that the AQHI would reach above moderate levels in Nova Scotia.

Check your local AQHI by visiting Environment Canada's page at www.ec.gc.ca/cas-aqhi/default.asp?lang=En&n=FA3850D6-1

Sign up for eSmog Alerts by going to www.atl.ec.gc.ca/airquality/esmog.cgi

For great info visit these pages on Environment Canada Website:

• About the AQHI
• AQHI in Action!

Fresh Summer Savory

Summer is the perfect season to enjoy fresh produce across Nova Scotia. Try some of the following tips to get the most out of your fresh food experience.

• Wash all fruits and vegetables before eating.
• Buy fruits and vegetables in small quantities so they can be eaten before they begin to spoil
• On hot days, make the supermarket your last stop so your produce will still be fresh when you arrive home
• Do not let children eat produce until it is thoroughly washed. You can try washing the produce before storing.
• Refrigerate fruits and vegetables within two hours within peeling or cutting.
• If taking perishable foods on a summer outing, place them in a cooler with a cold source. You could also consider taking food items that do not require refrigeration – fresh fruits, hard cheeses, canned meats, vegetables, breads and crackers.
• Keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold.
• Clean it, chill it, separate it!

More Resources...

• Wondering what produce is in season? Visit Select Nova Scotia’s season availability guide to find out.
• Looking for great local recipes? Check out Strive for Five Seasonal Calendar for recipes and tips.
  

Barbeque Season Syndrome

A concern with cooking raw meats and poultry is the risk of food borne illness.

E.coli is sometimes referred to as "Barbeque Season Syndrome" since it is more common at the height of barbeque season. 

• When cooking ground meat such as hamburger, cook the meat thoroughly at the centre.
• Wash hands thoroughly before handling food, and after handling raw meat.
• Thaw frozen meat in the refrigerator, not on the counter.
• Never place cooked meat on the same plate used to carry raw meat to the barbeque.
• You can barbeque meats and poultry while still frozen, but pay close attention to ensure even cooking throughout.
• When thawing meats in the refrigerator, be sure to store on the bottom shelf so no harmful juices contaminate other foods.

Enjoying the Great Outdoors

When spending time outside, certain precautions should be taken to make sure that you and your family are protected. Certain insects and animals can pass illness to humans. These harmful illnesses include Lyme disease (deer ticks), West Nile (mosquitoes) and Rabies (various animals).

• Protect yourself from ticks and mosquitoes by using insect repellent which contains DEET.
• When outdoors, cover your skin as much as possible to prevent ticks from getting on your skin.
• Stagnant pools of water are breeding grounds for mosquitoes so check empty flower pots for any still water and use pool covers.
• Be cautious of wild animals – they may be cute and cuddly but they are not pets. Never feed wild animals or welcome them into your home.
• Vaccinate your pets to keep them, and your family, safe.

More Resources...

• Looking for more information on how to protect yourself from lyme and other Insect and Animal-Related Diseases? Check out Communicable Disease Prevention and Control page.

Protect Your Head

One of the most popular summer activities for young and old is biking. The human skull is just one centimeter thick, so it is very easily fractured. A properly fitted helmet helps protect your brain from absorbing the force from a crash or a fall. It pays to be safe while having fun!

• Buy a bicycle helmet that fits properly, not one that you will grow into.
• Bicycle helmets should be comfortably snug.
• Remember the 2V1 Helmet Rule: The helmet should sit level, 2 finger widths above the eyebrows; the straps should form a V-shape under the ears; and 1 finger should fit between the chin and the fastened strap.
• Replace a bicycle helmet after it is damaged, or every 5 years.  Many helmets can only take one impact before they must be replaced.
• Multi-sport helmets are available if you’re interested in more than just bicycling.  Be sure that the helmet meets safety standards for more than one activity, and only use with the activities that the helmet is rated for.
• Hats, hairclips, and headphones should not be worn under the helmet.  This can affect the proper fitting that helps keep you safe.

More Resources...

• For more information on helmet safety visit www.safekidscanada.ca

When the snow melts away, the children must play

Taking your child to the playground is another activity which promotes physical activity.  There are certain things to be cautious of when taking your child to the playground.

• Supervise your child closely and ensure they know how to use the equipment
• Check your children’s clothing before heading to the playground.  Remove any drawstrings that may get caught in the equipment.
• Teach your child the rules of playground safety:

• For more on playground safety visit www.safekidscanada.ca

Row, row, row your boat!

Setting sail in the summer can be the best way to get a good breeze.  In Canada, 40% of drowning deaths involve boaters.   

• Always stay within sight of your child if they are near water.
• Young children under 5 years of age should wear life-jackets when in or around water.
• In familiar and unfamiliar waters always jump feet first the first time!
• When boating, provide non-alcoholic beverages for boat operators and passengers.
• When boating wear a lifejacket every time, for the entire trip.
• A lifejacket of appropriate size for each passenger must be available.

For more information please visit these helpful resources:

• The Canadian Red Cross – Boating Safety
• The Canadian Red Cross – Drownings in Canada
• wearalifejacket.com

It’s a nice day for a dip!

The best way to cool off on a hot summer day is to soak in a pool.  As refreshing as a swim can be, it can also be dangerous if done without care.    

• Research shows that proper pool fencing prevents 7 out of 10 drownings in children under the age of five. Pool fences should always have four sides.
• Walk, don’t run!
• Alcohol and pools do not mix.
• Only plastic cups should be used on the pool deck.
• Store pool chemicals in clearly labeled containers.  Chemicals should be kept out of reach of children at all times.

• For swimming safety tips for young and old, please view The Canadian Red Cross' page at www.redcross.ca/article.asp?id=000881&tid=024
• For more tips on how to keep your child safe around swimming pools please visit SafeKids Canada
   
  

Keep the grass trimmed

When the summer months arrive, so does lawn care and maintenance.  Although a lawnmower is simple to use, they can be dangerous if operated inappropriately.

• Children younger than 16 should not use ride-on lawnmowers.  Children younger than 12 should not operate any type of lawnmower.
• Wear sturdy shoes while mowing.
• Mowers should be refueled only when the mower is set to "off", and should be done in an outside area (not in a garage or shed).
• Remove any objects on the lawn which may be in the way when mowing.
• Do not allow children to ride as passengers on any type of mower.

More Resources...

• For instruction on how to have a healthy, pesticide-free lawn, go to www.gov.ns.ca/nse/pests/non-essential.pesticides.asp

Other Helpful Links

• Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture - Food Safety page
  www.gov.ns.ca/agri/foodsafety

• Safe Kids Canada
  www.safekidscanada.ca/Parents/Tools-and-Resources

• Canadian Red Cross
  www.redcross.ca/article.asp?id=130&tid=062